At least 18 cases of XBB sub-variant of Omicron have been reported in Maharashtra in the first fortnight of October, the state health department said today.
A health official said 13 of these cases are from Pune, two each from Nagpur and Thane and one from Akola district.
"As per INSACOG labs' latest report, 18 cases of XBB variant have been reported in the state in the first fortnight of October month," he said.
Apart from these cases, Pune has also reported one case each of BQ.1 and BA.2.3.20 sub-variants. These cases are from the period of September 24 to October 11.
As per the primary information, all these cases are mild.
It said 15 out of these 20 cases (18 of XBB and one each of BQ.1 and BA.2.3.20) were vaccinated against COVID-19 while information on the rest five cases is to be received.
The BQ.1 case in Pune is of mild variety and has a history of travel to the USA. "Genetic mutations are part of the natural life cycle of the virus and there is no need to be concerned about this but to take appropriate precautions for COVID containment," it said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Explained: What Are FLiRT Covid Variants, Are They More Dangerous? India Reports 157 Covid Cases, 2 Deaths In Last 24 Hours 2,083 Cases Of Covid Sub-variant JN.1, Its Lineages Found In India So Far 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Video: Brazil Mayoral Candidate Attacks Opponent With Chair On Live TV 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah Chandigarh Court's Notice To Kangana Ranaut Over 'Emergency' Controversy Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.